Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Plains game load for .308

Barnes TTSX would be my choice over the LR AB.

Enjoy the time with your daughter. Those memories will last forever. Bob

At the velocities that you are working with,I would give strong consideration to the Hornady 150 grain interlock. The version of the bullet that I have the most experience with is the Flat Base Spire point. I have taken around 100 big game animals with this bullet from 308s,30-06s,and 300 Win Mags.

It will give very good performance on the bigger critters at the moderate velocity levels you are using. I have a friend who used the same bullet in 300 Weatherby to kill a bunch of bull elk.

The new SST version is supposed to be really good but I've only shot it at targets so far.

Of the 2 bullets you listed, 1 would use the Nosler Accubond, but either bullet will work well.

With reduced velocity I'd be hesitant to shoot the TTSX. On the other hand, I think the Accubond LR is a bit "soft" if the distance is short. I'd give thought to the regular Accubond or partition 165 grain. Both are soft enough to open with relatively low impact velocity remaining at 300 yards with the reduced launch velocity you're considering and yet will hang together with all the velocity a .308 can muster even at powder burn distance.

My current load for my Kimber Mountain Ascent in .308 is 44.5 grains of RL15 and 165 grain accubonds. It's predecessor, a Kimber Montana, shot it's best with the same bullet and 43.5 grains of RL15.

Tom

Can't go wrong there.

What RinB said.

LOL, I see what you did there.

I have a friend who is an Afrikaner living in Joberg area. He is a PH and does culling at times. His favorite load for the .308 was the old Speer 180 "Mag Tip". He also usually went with head shots. He did, however, run into cold (freezing) temp issues with the South African Powder he used in the Drakensberg's for eland. The bullets didn't penetrate the hide the velocity was so slow. He quickly went to the South African 147gr FMJ Surplus Ammo and head shots. I used the 308 one time on a 230yd Axis. I was using the 165 NBT. I got complete penetration, so that's another good option for you. Personally, I'd go with the 150TTSX. But nothing wrong with heavier. I think most African Game is tough enough to "open" any Mono, even at slower speeds. Think of a "stump" with 1" thick hide on it...there's your zebra!

180 grain Norma Oryx.

You will be in Africa, land of the greatest trackers in the world. What is needed is a blood trail.

TSX. All day, every day. It doesn’t matter if the animal runs 500 yards. It will be found.

On a Texas Ranch, where a runner means another’s property, I prefer something that kills quicker (all things equal). In Africa, I want a legit lung shot blood trail, the rest will take care of itself.

Yup. Put two holes in ‘em and they will be found.

IMHO, the decision should be between the 150 TTSX and 130 TTSX. Both will recoil a bit less than the 168 and the Barnes bullets dig speed. No plains game will stop either one of those with decent placement within 400 yards.

Remember, the 150 TTSX is likely to retain more weight than a 180 NPT. The 130 TTSX will easily retain more than a 165 NPT and more than likely as much or more than the 180.

If it opens, expands and is caught, that is true.

But an expanding bullet should do so 100% of the time...

What utah708 and DaddyRat both said !

TTSXs..like Porsche, there is no substitute, or for that matter, any decent bullet your rifle likes. One can never go wrong with a Partition...

I was leaning something TTSX until I read this. The velocity would shift me over an Accubond or a Partition - whatever the rifle likes best.
Good luck and don't forget to post photos.

yup

At your velocity...which are fine by the way id be happy with a quality cup and core bullet like a interlock. Of the two you mentioned id use the Nosler Acubond. The 308 is one of if not the most common cartridge in use over there. You will be fine.

Think I might just be able to build an entertaining magazine article around all the contradictory, "absolute" statements in this thread.

Thanks, guys. One of the reasons I became a Campfire member almost 20 years ago was to discover what hunters were interested in, and their opinions on various subjects.

JB...did I say something you feel is incorrect?